Rep. Sharice Davids Has Mixed Review for GOP Farm Bill
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a mark-up session on May 24, 2024 for the Republican-drafted Farm Bill reauthorization bill, titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. The committee then voted to advance the bill to the floor by a vote of 33-21.
The Farm Bill is the nation’s most significant piece of legislation impacting agriculture and rural communities. Despite its name, it also contains the funding for critical nutrition and food programs in urban and rural communities, as well as conservation funding and support for rural infrastructure and economic development.
Sharice Davids Offers Her Perspective
Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas 3rd District), offered a mixed assessment of the GOP bill:
“Kansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to people at home and around the world. While today’s bill includes many great provisions to support those producers, such as strengthening crop insurance and improving agricultural research, it provides false hope to our farmers and would push Kansas families, children, and seniors into hunger.
To truly support Kansas’ agricultural economy, we must put Kansans first, stop playing political games, and promote a broadly bipartisan Farm Bill that can realistically make it across the finish line. There are many provisions in this bill we all agree on, which is why I remain optimistic. I am committed to upholding the Kansas tradition of bipartisan agricultural policy, following the example of former Senators Pat Roberts and Bob Dole, to craft a Farm Bill that enables Kansas farmers and families, from Garnett to Goodland, to thrive.”
~ Rep. Sharice Davids
Among her concerns with House GOP Ag bill were proposed roll-backs of climate-smart initiatives that enable farmers to remain resilient and profitable, as well as cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She noted that this bill marks the most substantial cut to SNAP in nearly three decades - a program that 10,879 households rely on in her district alone. The proposed bill would strip $130 million from Kansas’ SNAP budget, pushing more families with children, seniors, and disabled individuals into hunger.
Despite those concerns, she acknowledged a number of policy provisions as a victory for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and producers. Certain priorities which she championed were included, such as:
Protections and updates to crop insurance programs that provide backstops to farmers amid unexpected events,
Support for research funding to improve the resilience of our country’s agriculture sector,
Support for land-grant institutions that foster agriculture innovation, and
Investments to construct and maintain agriculture research facilities.
(Watch Rep. Davids remarks during the Ag Committee and see a summary of her comments and links to the local farm and food operations she visited in the last few years to listen to concerns)
Davids’s overall take on the Farm Bill contrasts with GOP Rep. Mann (R-Kansas 1st District) who voted for the bill, which he described in a press release as “a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that strengthens the American farm safety net and wisely invests taxpayer dollars,”
Other Voices
The farm news show Market to Market, produced by Iowa PBS, featured the House Agriculture Committee mark-up session in their weekly news round up. The highlights and controversies of the proposed legislatition, especially around conservation program funding and SNAP benefit cuts, were highlighted.
Market to Market Farm Bill Segment, 5/24/24, on Video (starts at minutes 6:21 and watch until 10:10)
The National Farmer’s Union, an independent farm advocacy group that centers its focus on family farmers, had this to say about the House Farm Bill markup:
“A successful farm bill needs broad bipartisan support. We applaud today’s progress, but we know that significant improvements will be needed to advance this bill. H.R. 8467 includes a number of Farmers Union priorities but those positive steps can’t come at the cost of the broad support that’s needed to pass a bill on the House floor. We look forward to further activity in the farm bill process and will continue to advocate for family farmers and ranchers as the Senate Agriculture Committee develops its draft.”
~ Rob Larew, President, National Farmers Union (from press release)
Larew went on to highlight the National Farmer’s Union priorities for the Farm Bill, which include maintaining and improving the farm safety net, strengthening conservation programs and expanding renewable energy opportunities, and expanding and enhancing permanent disaster assistance programs.
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Sources: Rep Sharice Davids news release. House Ag Committee hearing video. Market to Market by Iowa Public Television. National Farmers Union. Rep. Tracey Mann news release.
This summary of the bill and status was prepared by the Food and Farm Caucus of Kansas Democrats.